Art in The Making: Impressionism DVD

Impressionism was the most important art movement of the nineteenth century; it changed both the painting that followed and wider public taste.

Part of the appeal of many Impressionist works is their feeling of novelty and freshness: often they appear to have been painted rapidly, in one or only a few working sessions, and frequently retain evidence of spontaneity and improvisation in the flickering application of paint.

But these 'impressions' of fleeting moments were not usually improvised, despite their reliance on rapidly executed brushstrokes and gestures. Ready-made oil paint in metal tubes made painting outdoors easier, while newly synthesised brilliant pigments allowed artists to render their subjects more vividly than ever before.

The principles of contrasting and complementary colour also had a profound impact on the Impressionists, and are explained accessibly in this art DVD through detailed examination of original paintings.

The bonus film Impressionism: Painting Quickly in France adds further exploration of works by Manet, Morisot, Monet and Renoir.

This art DVD examines in detail such key Impressionist paintings, such as Manet's The Races at Longchamps, and Monet's Beach at Trouville, and how they were produced.

Approx. 47 minutes • Region free